The Taxidermy Killer

by Stewart Clyde

SIX DEAD BODIES. ONE HIDDEN SECRET. A SERIAL KILLER THAT CAN’T BE STOPPED.
What if the only person who could stop a serial killer is the man who murdered your daughter?

Three families slain in their homes. Circumstances identical. A new serial killer with demonic-like precision is on the loose.

Special Agent Augustine Carver only met one man who made him truly afraid. Carver was a brilliant FBI agent. Then his family was targeted by a sadistic serial killer. Now he's what the Bureau calls 'driftwood'. All burned out and washed up.

Desperate, the deputy director of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit turns to the only person she knows capable of getting inside the mind of the madness running wild. And Carver is forced to confront his demons once more.

With families dying in the darkness of a depraved murderer, Carver turns to the only man who knows serial killers better than he does. The one he caught. The man who killed his daughter in front of his eyes.

"A masterclass in suspense. For fans of Thomas Harris, James Patterson, Karin Slaughter, and Patricia Cornwell. If you like Criminal Minds and Silence of the Lambs you'll love this."

Dive into the terrifying first installment in the Carver & Sandling thrillers—if you dare.

Don't miss out, get yours before the price goes up. Grab your copy now.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2024

About the author

Stewart Clyde is the Kindle #1 bestselling author of the Carver & Sandling FBI Mystery Thriller series.

Dive in to what fans are calling 'Criminal Minds' meets 'Silence of the Lambs' now.

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Loved the very broken characters, can't wait to see how they progress. Noticed there is a second book! So excited to see that. Creepy bad guy or bad guys in this one. No shocking twists to this one but so worth the read.

I received a free copy of this book and I'm giving my fair and honest review.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this was pretty good and I would definitely read the next one. My only critiques were small and in more of an editing way, like things I would word differently or make more clear, but nothing major or distracting. The author did a good job showing the personalities of different characters, and the writing flowed well. There were some surprises, though I wouldn't say any crazy shocking twists which some people look for. I enjoyed the details of things that tied back in from earlier, so the plot was pretty well thought out.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a crime thriller so I was delighted when Stewart Clyde offered me an ARC copy of his new novel The Taxidermy Killer.

I really enjoyed this story. Despite it starting a little slow, it really gets crazy from about half way and it's a rollercoaster from then on.

I loved the character of Zimmer, even though he was an absolute psychopath, he really reminded me of Antony Hopkins/Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs which is one of my all time favourite films. I love the level of crazy these characters exude.

Thank you for letting me read it Stewart Clyde

[Nicole Kinsey Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taxidermy Killer by Stewart Clyde is an absolutely riveting read that I couldn't put down, finishing it in one sitting! From the moment I reached chapter 2, I was completely hooked, captivated by the intricate plot and well-developed characters.

The book masterfully blends suspense, mystery, and psychological elements, creating a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. The protagonist's journey through a dark and twisted world of taxidermy and murder is depicted with vivid detail, making each scene feel real and intense.

The pacing is impeccable, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they uncover secrets and face unexpected twists. The writing style is engaging, with a perfect balance of descriptive narrative and sharp dialogue that drives the plot forward.

I am eagerly anticipating book 2, as "Taxidermy Killer" has set a high bar for the series. If you're a fan of gripping thrillers, this book is a must-read. Highly recommended!

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for this ARC opportunity. As a reader of thrillers I loved the different twists in this one. I thought all of the characters were well described and easy to follow. The beginning was a bit slow but heated up quickly! This was a quick read especially since I couldn’t put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have recommended it my friends and fellow readers! I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.

[Bridgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The first 3 chapters were not great. But glad I kept reading as it definitely got better. I enjoyed Carver and Sandling along with the sofa squad. I did not, however, like the interactions at the institution. Overall, I did enjoy this and will definitely read the next book(s) in the series.

[Ali McMurray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I participated in being an advanced reader before this book comes out, and it’s great! Kept me interested, perfect amount of blood, killing, etc that I like! If you like FBI/police books, following a mystery and trying to solve it yourself, you’ll love this too!

[tiffany claybaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as an ARC through a Facebook group so I went in blind without high expectation but WOW! This was a great fast paced , easy read. There is some back story and a lot of character building but it’s never slow . The way the characters are written will make you love and absolutely hate them. Zimmerr is infuriating and so well done. Can’t wait to read more in the series!

[Kayla Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was apart of the beta reading group for this book. I will tell you that it is amazing. It has some backstory which people might not like but it is important to the story. Once you get past the backstory is when it gets really interesting. I was hooked after the first chapter and I have to get hooked early or I won’t keep reading it. I loved how the book changed perspectives from character to character. It allowed you to see how they thought and felt in the moment but also what their next steps were going to be. I am hoping that this author continues this Augustine Carver series because I would love to read more.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a beta reader for this book and I'll be honest, I couldn't put it down! I was constantly thinking about the story and what might happen next or when I would get to read again. This book was so descriptive and interesting. I truly loved the FBI aspect and the agents in the story. It was a wild ride, but I enjoyed it!

[Rebecca Dulac · Rating 5 out of 5]

As part of the beta reading group for this book I will say it was amazing. If work and sleep didn't have to happen I could have finished this book in one day. I was constantly thinking about what was going to happen next, what happened to this character in the past and how they were going to continue on. I honestly can not wait for another Carver and Sandling book!

[Makinlin Verbrugge · Rating 1 out of 5]

"The Taxidermy Killer" did an excellent job reusing and combining the entire plot of Thomas Harris's "Red Dragon" and "Silence of the Lambs." The story follows a special agent with the incredible ability to get inside the minds of serial killers until something horribly traumatic happens, sending him into a spiral and leaving the FBI. This agent is called back to the FBI when a female FBI agent is in desperate need of his help profiling a serial killer that attacks women and collects parts of their bodies as trophies. Not only does the special agent assist with the profiling, the female FBI agent also goes to a mental institution to recruit the assistance of a convicted serial killer with an innate sense of smell and understanding for like-minded people. Eventually, they are all able to identify the serial killer by working together despite the emotional trauma the convicted serial killer has brought to both FBI agents (though taking more of a liking to the female FBI agent).

Do not misunderstand, I very much enjoyed the Thomas Harris series into Hannibal Lecter and found the movies (and show) quite fascinating, however, I was not anticipating reading something so remarkably similar. It got to a point where I could substitute Stewart Clyde's characters' names with Harris's characters' names and it would tell almost the exact same story as the two books I previously mentioned. Even the suspect the FBI agents are trying to track down have the same basic profile.

This book would be great as a work of fan-fiction, but it does not have enough original content to stand on its own in my opinion.

[Claire Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by Stewart Clyde that I have had the pleasure of reading, and the first book in his new Carver and Sandling series.

I absolutely love a good police series, and this one gets off to a fantastic start! The characters are all relatable, all flawed, but yet likeable. As with most new police series, the secondary characters take a bit longer to develop, and sort out who's who. I do hope though that we will get to see all the "sofa squad" return for book 2.

It is a well thought out plot with lots of depth. The "bad guys" are proper bad. This is no light heated by the pool read. The story is told from the perspective of different characters, which helps to move the story along at a fast pace.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and I am really looking forward to book 2. Thank you to Stewart Clyde for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Hollis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a good read for me! Was it the most realistic? Not necessarily. Am I an FBI agent or any type of LEO? Obvs not so who knows what realistic actually is? If i were being hypercritical i’m sure i could find things i didn’t enjoy about this book, but i am no author and overall found this to be a highly enjoyable read.
I so completely enjoyed the various POVs in this book and loved the killer parts SO much. I think a lot of books TRY to do this but tend to keep the killer stuff mild (give me the sick, twisted details please & thanks). It gave Silence of the Lambs/ Hannibal vibes without the extra fluff some of those books had that i wasn’t the most fond of.
I also particularly love the idea of the Sofa Squad and totally jaded Agent Carver. Love a good, damaged, possible sacrificial main character.
So ready for book number 2!

[Judi Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first read of this author, but won't be the last. What a story, it reminds you of CSI and keeps you turning the pages on a serial killer you won't forget. Well, make that two serial killers!

FBI Agent Augustine Carver is a brilliant agent and caught one of the best known serial killers that is now in a mental hospital. Now, there is another serial killer out there, mimicking him and Carver is asked to step in and help on the case. A family has been brutally murdered and one member had her face cut off. But, the only reason they want Carver back on the case is to visit the serial killer in the mental facility and find out what he might know about the new killer. The thing about this serial killer, is that he killed Carver's daughter.

I really enjoyed this one and love the Sofa Squad. Hope to read more about them.

[Rebecca Carr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy from the author so thank you for the opportunity of reading this work.

This story is centred around the FBI and their hunt for a serial killer. It may sound like an overdone topic but some of the elements of the serial killer are unique. There is also the addition of a previously caught serial killer and their involvement/story. The main POV however is from a particular agent because he’s mostly how this all ties together.

Overall I’d give the book 3.5 stars. It was a good read, well thought out and had a good flow to it. Couple of things knocked it down for me. There is a lot of mention of snakes in this book which creep me out so I had a hard time reading because it crops up fairly frequently. Given this is not an unusual aversion it would have been nice to know this prior to going into it. The second part is there is a massively long chapter at the end which you think is the end of the story but isn’t. I personally am not a fan of long chapters however it did work in this context because it was almost like a final battle. I’m not sure the title of the book is quite the right fit. I had assumed taxidermy would play quite a pivotal role in the story and whilst it definitely added to the story it wasn’t as much of an inclusion as I would have assumed.

The ending was good in that it tied everything up. I enjoyed the psychology of the killer being included at the end to explain the why which is so often lacking in books of this nature or is a bit wishy washy and unclear. The pace of the book was good and kept me engaged throughout. I also enjoyed the tid bits at the end which allude to the following story.

Overall one of the better reads for me this year so far. I’m fairly conservative in my rating so a 3.5 is excellent for me!

[Mandy Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from the beginning. If you liked Silence of the Lambs, this book is for you! The character development was on point. It makes me hungry to learn more about these characters so I can't wait for the 2nd book. The main protagonist is a interesting guy who I would like to know more about and see the books explain how/why he understands serial killers the way he does. The "group of misfits" is a perfect team that all bring something different and important to the table. Sandling's character reminds me of Clarice Starling.The two serial killers mentioned in the book are all a cross between Hannibal Lecter, Jeffrey Dahmer, Buffalo Bill and BTK. A good, solid, FBI suspense! I recommend highly!!

[Alexis Rios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can Carver and Sandling catch a serial killer without losing themselves to another serial killer?

Wow! So good 🤯 this was a great story loved all the detail and how everything came together and counted and that it didn’t leave you asking more questions. It had me at the edge of my seat… or bed lol reading on my phone. Great thriller! It was like reading an episode of criminal minds but more in-depth in the case and with the characters. Loved that it was the Sofa Squad that cracked the case and that are main characters could get some light and feel some redemption. This was my first read from this author and can tell you it won’t be my last. Can’t wait to read more about Carver and Sandling in their next case with the FBI and BAU misfits.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me longer than normal to finished. It reminded me a lot of Silence of the Lambs. A young FBI agent whose father was killed in the line of duty and then seeks out a brilliant serial killer who is looked up, for help with a case. All while a prominent government person’s family is kidnapped by a current serial killer. This bothered me a bit and might have taken away from the story for me.

Outside of that, I enjoyed the book. I thought the characters and their interactions were believable.

I did,however, love the Sofa Squad and they kept the book interesting. The why for the snakes and the killing of the girls was creative. Now that the characters and dynamics are in place, I am curious to read book two and find Elizabeth’s killer.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Thomas Harris, you'll love this book! This is not a copycat by any means, it's an homage to a master, maybe not even intentionally. Stewart Clyde captured that creepy unease we all felt when we first met Hannibal Lechter, when he introduces the Skinwalker killer. Add to that a tortured FBi agent and his "Sofa Squad" of disgraced agents and you have one hell of a story. Not to mention using a captured serial killer to help catch the newest killer. All these characters are well written, very well developed (leaving some room for future stories to reveal more) and largely likeable. I cannot wait to dive into the second book in the series and I hope there are many more to come!

[Paige Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excited for Book 2! Although this started off a tad slow, the writing style began to remind me of James Patterson. I loved the multiple points of view, especially getting inside the mind of the killer. The twists that came up had thrown me off a bit, but the ending wrapped up all loose ends in my opinion, which can make or break a book.

I loved the little cliffhanger at the end that led to another book in new series — and I’m going to have to read it! Highly recommend this book for a good detective plot, but warning that there are gruesome details mentioned that made my stomach roll at times.

Overall, great job! I’m loving this author’s writing style!

[Lynette Shaw]

New author

Wow what a book it popped up on my Facebook feed so gave it a try and i am so glad i did .From the start to the finish this book had me gripped from the team of missfits ,the broken man and the gunfearing female lead i was drawn in cheering for the team in loss words getting to the jobs they love and not the job given due to past mistakes .The killer wow he was a crazy as a box of frogs ,but he kept you turning the next page and waiting to see what happens and of course you have the daddy of the serial killers pulling the baby killers wires .A good book this is my personal throughts.

[Jeff edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down thriller

I heard about this series at a writers workshop and The Taxidermy Killer book 1 (Skin walker Killer) did not disappoint.
A rag tag team of FBI agents with varying backgrounds come together based on their strengths to finally get ahead of
A seemingly skilled serial killer. The relationship of this team, particularly Carver & Sandling. This relationship did evoke
similarities to a few serial killer novels I have read, but their interaction with each other was refreshing over others.
I look forward to reading more of the series. Easy read, pages turned themselves.

[Zoe E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the main perspective of this book. It is told mainly from the FBI's or the 'Sofa Squad's' (if you've read it, you'll know what I mean) point of view.

I liked how descriptive it was and found that aspect very interesting. I did find there was a lot of character building in this book, which at times I did feel it was a bit slow.

It definitely reminded me of Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs. And also a bit of the TV series 'Slow Horses'

Averagely paced and well written.

Thank you to @stewartclydeauthor for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Vanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve recently been diving back into thrillers and was given this book to read for my honest review. I found it to be a captivating read that I couldn’t put down. I’m usually a little weary when there are too many points of views in a book but this one was done very well. We learned about the characters stories, we dived into their minds and we didn’t lose sense of who the main characters were throughout.

Agent Carver is getting another chance at the FBI and breathing fresh air into a group of agency rejects. I look forward to book two and seeing how the sofa squad steps up again.

[Cindy Lightner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from the Author. Thank you.

I was supposed to have this book read before it was released. I will be honest, I had a hard time getting into this book. There were so many characters presented at the beginning that it was a little confusing to me. Also the main characters name was very similar to the city that was referenced in the book. It took me over 2 weeks to finish this book which is not normal for me. Overall the book was ok, but not something I am rushing to read the next book in the series.

[Stephanie Najarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gratefully received this as an ARC reader. I agree with other readers that it was a little slow to start but I am glad I continued reading. Multiple POVs can be challenging to keep up with if not done well but Stewart Clyde’s writing made them easy to follow. I appreciated the character building and particularly found the killer’s POV intriguing, I just wish we would have had more of this. I love thrillers and this one did not disappoint. I definitely will be reading more from Stewart Clyde in the future.

[Charlie Dickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC opportunity - loved the author updates!
An interesting read with lots of twists and turns. Had a feel of silence of the lambs at points and I really enjoyed the character development - it’s slowly hooks you and by the end I was keen to read the next book.
Although the characters storylines were hard to untangle at the beginning, they come together well. Pace was a little slow for my taste with lengthy descriptions and chapters but well written and great ending!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is well written and has a great plot. It was very engaging.

The backstory was interesting, but confusing as I think this is the first in the series. It feels like there should be a prequel. The dialogue at times was a little bit forced.

All in all though, a great psychological thriller.

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book. Thank you @stewartclyde for the opportunity to read the book in advance.

[Joanna Petrie-rout · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book. I found it a little slow to begin with and initially thought I had missed a book in the series due to the backstory. It did pick up pace though and overall it was an enjoyable read.
It definitely has a feel of Silence of the lambs mixed with Slow Horses. If you are a fan of those, you will enjoy this book.

I was an ARC reader for the book and am grateful to Stewart Clyde for the opportunity.